The GRDC aspires to be the R&D department driving the profitability of Australia’s grain growing businesses. Our investment practices ensure the GRDC levy is one of the best investments a grain grower can make. We have rigorous processes to ensure research and development (R&D) responds to growers needs – both nationally and regionally. Investment is targeted at projects with high potential to produce direct benefits.

Our investment areas

These priorities are decided through a thorough consultation process with growers, advisors, researchers and industry stakeholders.

In recognition of diverse farming conditions across Australia, consultations occur nationally and regionally. This ensures location-specific needs are addressed, as well as the industry’s interests as a whole.

New approach to investment management

In response to the changing dynamics in the grains research and extension landscape the GRDC has implemented new investment management processes. This includes the adoption of a continuous investment cycle and new online IT systems to improve the way that research and extension providers will apply to partner with the GRDC and manage RD&E investments.

This new system will feature an ongoing call for investment partners, replacing the traditional annual External Investment Plan and is targeted at simplifying the application and reporting process for our research partners. As such, there will no longer be an annual call for applications. Calls for investment partners will now be advertised on the GRDC website on an ongoing basis and updates can be monitored through alert subscriptions for investment areas of interest.

All current investment decisions will continue to centre on the GRDC research, development and extension (RD&E) priorities in the areas of; agronomy, farming systems, weeds, pests, diseases, soil, nutrition and information & research support as articulated in the Strategic Research and Development Plan 2012-17. During 2017-18, the GRDC will be developing a new Research and Development Plan that will reflect the purpose of investing in RD&E to create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers. Growers, researchers and other members of the grains value chain will be given the opportunity to provide comment on the setting of the new plan.